Sunday, February 21, 2016

Ok, it is super hard to mess this up. I don't measure at all. I just throw things in. I am giving measurements but they are just general guidelines. And ingredients can be left or substituted with few ill effects. It is a very forgiving recipe. I also make large batches if you want less, use less.

3 lb ground beef (other ground meats would probably work too, I have mixed in puréed liver before and no one noticed, the flavor is strong enough to cover a variety of meats)
1 can crushed pineapple
1/4 c coconut aminos or soy sauce substitute, or soy sauce if you can have soy
1/4 c blackstrap molasses
1 T garlic powder
1 T onion powder
1 T sesame oil
1 t ginger
1-3 T of salt to taste
1 t red pepper flakes (optional, I never use it, but add it if you like spice)

Cabbage rice, cauliflower rice, or brown or white rice
2-3 lbs vegetables of your choice (I use cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. whatever I have on hand) or a bag or two of slaw mix
1-2 c roasted salted nuts or seeds of your choice (I have used sunflower seeds, almonds, and peanuts). (Optional, but optional, trust me if you can eat them it's worth it, it makes this meal 10x better! :))
Lettuce leaves (optional) big enough for lettuce wraps. Romaine works well for this.

Directions:

1. If using brown rice start cooking now
2. Brown ground beef
3. Add pineapple (including juice), aminos, molasses, and spices
4. Let simmer for a while for flavors to mix
5. If using veggie or white rice start cooking now
6. Shred vegetables, I use my food processor with the shredding attachment.
7. Chop nuts/seeds (I use my food processor for this too)
8. Serve beef over rice with vegetables on top and nuts on top. Put in lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps.

Verdict:

Amazing! This is one of my family's favorite meals. My kids gobble it up vegetables and all. The flavor on the the meat is amazing and it flavors everything well. The vegetables and nuts add a great crunch. I have also served this at family parties and everyone loved it and begged for the recipe. And it is healthy! No sugar, no soy, allergen friendly!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

You know the saying "Eat, drink, and be merry"? Did you know that it is from the bible? Did you know that the next line is "For tomorrow we will die" (Is 22:13). I knew those things but I learned something new about that passage tonight.

In Isaiah 22 God is talking about the defenses that the Israelites put up around their city, knowing that their old defenses, and probably their new ones were not good enough to save them.

So they decided to have a party.

This is the part that blows my mind. They really thought they were going to die. They were sure that they were going to die.

And they decided to eat and drink and engage in revelry.

God had asked them to weep and wail, to tear out their hair and to put on sack cloth (vs 12). If they had done as God asked maybe they wouldn't have died tomorrow.

God was begging them to turn to him. But that still didn't change their minds or actions.

In verse 8-11 God describes the defenses that they had built up and then says "but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago."

God made everything. Including the things that I am hiding behind or building up to defend me. I need to look to the maker of these things for my true defense.

I'm sorry God for looking to the things you have made, instead of looking to you for defense. Please help me remember to always look to you. Thank you for being there for me always! I love you!

Thursday, February 4, 2016

When I'm struggling with something the temptation is often to ask why? or why me? But I think we need to start asking why not? or why not me?

We live in a fallen world. There are struggles. Everyone struggles. What makes me so special that I should not struggle or that I should not have this struggle? God showed me this last week.

I struggle with insomnia.

It manifests itself in different ways on different nights. Sometimes I can't fall asleep. Sometimes I can't stay asleep. Sometimes I can't go back to sleep when I wake up. Lately it's been I wake up in the night and can't fall asleep for up to hours.

It all boils down to one statement; I'm tired.

One night I was up for 3 to 4 hours. When I had been awake for over 2 hours, and had already tried all my usual tricks, I looked at the clock and asked whhhyyyy?

And then God said why not? Why not me? What makes me so special? Why shouldn't I struggle?

Another great question is: What is God trying to show me through this struggle?

One thing i have found is that God is giving me a special time to be with him in the middle of the night. I have a time of quiet, which is rare of my busy life with 3 kids under 4. And I have the privilege of spending it with him.

My response needs to be (and sometimes is :)); Thank you God for giving me this special time with you.